Christmas Bird Count

Wise is excited to host the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in Kenny Lake for the first time!

What is the Christmas Bird Count? The Christmas Bird Count is a National Audubon Society program using only citizen science to collect its data. Between December 14th and January 5th, people across the US, Canada, and other Northern Hemisphere countries go out and count the early winter birds in their area. Some people walk, ski, or snowshoe a route, others count birds as they gather around a bird feeder at home. Counting happens between dawn and dusk of the given day, and then all the birds spotted in that area are tallied at the end. The Christmas Bird Count has been happening every year for over 100 years!

Why is the Christmas Bird Count Important? Recording data on bird populations is important not only to Audubon researchers, but to conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and many others to track the health and populations of local birds. It is an important piece of the puzzle that tells us how species have changed or moved over the past century.

When is the Christmas Bird Count? This year's Official Count Day is Saturday, December 16th, 2017. Count Week will be Wednesday the 13th until Tuesday the 19th.

How can I participate? If you would like to participate in the 2017 bird count, please contact WISE. Look at the "Where to Count 2017" list below and inform WISE where you would like to be this year. After dusk, all birders will gather together (location TBD) to celebrate, share stories and experiences, and gather forms to make the official tally.

What do I need to bring to go out counting? Your sense of adventure, of course! Additionally, depending on where you decide to go, you might need skis or snowshoes, perhaps a snowmobile to get there (we suggest doing most of your route by foot however so that you don't scare away any birds. You also can't hear any calls over the snowmobile!). DON'T FORGET YOUR FORMS! At the bottom of this page are the counter forms for field and feeder counters, make sure you print them out so you can mark down the birds as you go! At the end of the day on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 4:30 at the Kenny Lake Library, we'll be celebrating the CBC and collecting all forms, so make sure to bring them to the library with you!